A European Union plan to provide significant military aid to Ukraine has effectively collapsed, according to a report by Politico. The plan, initiated by the EU’s chief of diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, aimed to mobilize up to 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, but ultimately failed to garner sufficient support from member states.
Sources close to the matter told Politico that Kallas had failed to secure even preliminary support from key countries and the process was now “poisoned.” France, Italy and Slovakia did not support the plan and the issue went beyond just countries not wanting to provide more funds due to budget constraints. Others preferred to provide aid on a bilateral basis, the report said.
Kallas had not consulted with other EU leaders before presenting her plan and asking member states to provide more funds, according to Politico. A diplomat from a central European country described Kallas as still acting like a prime minister, not understanding that she now has a different role.
In the end, Kallas proposed reducing the amount to 5 billion euros, but even this was not accepted, the report said. The damage to Kallas’ authority is evident, with a high-ranking EU diplomat criticizing her for not preparing important initiatives in a more unified manner.
The original plan, dubbed the “Kallas plan” had envisioned providing the Ukraine with at least 1.5 million artillery shells in 2025, but this idea was vetoed by Hungary last month. Kallas then attempted to gather a coalition of willing states, using their weapons stores and state coffers to provide Ukraine with up to 40 billion euros in military aid this year.
In the end, a general intention statement was issued by 26 countries, excluding Hungary, reaffirming their “continued and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” and promising to provide the country with regular and predictable financial support. However, no concrete commitments were made.